How to care for chronic pain?

In 1989 I had my first surgery and it was on my lower back. Not sure why but I was blessed with a body that constantly kept breaking down, most major joints, multiple cervical fusions (C3-T1), lumbar (L4-S1). I have passed the 50 surgery April ‘24 and went an entire 12 without any surgery, first time in more than 25 Two weeks later diagnosed with bladder cancer and in June ‘23 died in a 60mph head on collision but got a little better with multiple pelvic fractures and every rib except 2 were broken. Two life flight helicopter rides, 3 months medically induced coma and a 6 week coma after the accident. So I have my share of chronic pain, due to the opiate issues in the past a reverse total shoulder replacement replacement in 2020 I was prescribed 5mg oxycodone. My Medicare insurance company set me up with an NP who specializes in Palliative Care (similar to hospice but to make daily quality of better). Palliative care has been expanded to include chronic pain management and for the first time in my 36 years of surgeries I have pain management that is actually giving me some relief.

I met with the NP just two weeks ago so I’m just in the infancy of the program for my issues but medical professionals make recommendations and treatments through my PCP. It’s all covered by Medicare and I’m really hoping that palliative care reduces my suffering. Can’t give a lot of specifics on it as I’m still new with the program but I’d recommend chatting with your PCP, insurance and do some research. Good luck, my fingers are crossed.